Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29807, Elisha Frost, Mass

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Frost, Elisha.
S 29807
CONTENTS

21317 Massachusetts
Elisha Frost
of Middlesex in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Bates of the Regt commanded by Col. Read in the Mass line for 10 Mos & 28 days
114 50 1 75
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 35 Dollars 67 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12th day of Sept 1833 and sent to him Hike St (Amherst) Mass
Arrears to the 14th of Sept 1833 $84.17 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Mar '34 17.83 $107.00
Revolutionary War Act June 2, 1832
Recorded by W. G. Alden Clerk Book C Vol. 2 Page 23

Declaration of Eliza Frost
20 4
1
1

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Middlesex ss.
On this Thirteenth day of August  1846 Francis A. [unclear] personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas , now sitting at within and for the County of Middlesex in the Commonwealth aforesaid
Elisha Frost of Framingham aged seventy three years
Who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That is to say
1 In Oct 1775 my Brother was an Orderly Sergeant in Capt. Thomas Diney's Company in Col. John Mearns Regt. of the Mass. forces in the eight months service at Cambridge and being desirous to return to Framingham, he procured me as a Substitute for him to recruit to the Camp and keep there recruited into the Company and served as a private for only twenty one days. I was on the day of Bunker Hill, I was on Guard at Cambridge, & did not go to the Bat. the after my Brother's return I was discharged. 2 In Oct 1776 I engaged to go to Ticonderoga, and enlisted in the Company of Capt. Gates of Marlborough in Col. John Read's Regt. of Mass. forces, and after going to Ticonderoga, I arrived there on the 14th of Aug. I went on board Arnold's fleet and ordered there was in the battle of Oct. and after we were driven ashore and fought thro' the woods and swamps & very severely and carried the Regt. again at Ticonderoga and there completed with my Regt. the term of my engagement for three months and was discharged. 3 In Oct 1777 I was procured by one Phoebe Gibbs to go to Bennington and enlisted in the Company of Capt. Joseph Wetherbee in Col. Bellows Regt. of Mass. forces. I repaired to Bennington and at Pawlet joined my Company, and continued with them and did duty until the 1st of Dec. when I had served four months and was discharged at White Plains. 4 In July 1780 there was a alarm for Rhode Island, and I marched in the Company of Capt. Lawson Wetherbee. John Frowdsett, in Col. Phipps Regt. of Mass. militia we marched to Trelstown and was there returned when we remained till the alarm subsided, we did not go on to the Island but at the expiration of a month's service we were dismissed and returned to Framingham.

He relinquishes every claim, whatever, to a pension or annuity, whatever except, the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll, of the agency of any State, subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Sworn to and Elizabeth Frost
We George Trask —
a Clergyman residing in the town of Framingham in the county of Middlesex — and David Brewer of F. Town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Elisha Frost 73 years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood, where he resides, to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid,
Geo. Trask
David Brewer Geo. Trask
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that after the investigation of the matter, and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them, that George Trask — a Clergyman resident in the town of Framingham & David Brewer of F. Town is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. I do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains, the original proceedings, of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Elisha Frost for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this thirtieth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two
J. P. May Clerk of the Court of Frederick Pike
Elisha Frost Geo. Trask

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex, to wit,
At the Court of Probate begun and holden at Concord within and for the County of Middlesex on the 10 th day of July A. D. 183 On the application of Elisha Frost claiming to be a Soldier of the Revolution, the following Interrogatories were propounded to him to wit:
1. Where, and in what year were you born?
Answer, I was born in Framingham on the 21 st Feb. 1758
2. Have you any record of your age, and where is it?
Answer, I have no family record, but there is a record of my age in Framingham records -
3. Where were you living, when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
Answer, I was living in Framingham when I always have and do now live.
4. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom?
Answer, Once I was a Volunteer, and once a Substitute and all my services were of my own accord -
5. State the names of some of the regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served, such Continental, and Militia Regiments, as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service?
Answer, I saw Genl. Gats and Arnold and St. Clair and Col. Reid of Middlesex -
6. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution?
Answer, Rev. Dr. Kellogg, Jon Maynard Esq. Luther Belknap Esq. and Moses Dyer, Weaken Nason and Clearman Selectmen of Framingham
Elisha Frost
Wadsworth August 30, 1832. Signed & sworn to in open Probate Court Elisha Frost

9616
Elisha Frost
Mar 10 Mr 21 days
16 06
May 7 1833
P. 378
J. Fiske Esq East Cambridge Mass
 33.33  2.td>2.34  35.67  2  71.34  17.83  89.17 

BRIEF in the case of Elisha Frost County of Middlesex in the State of Massachusetts (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? In open court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 73 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Substituted In 1775 volunteer 1776 21 As a Private Gen. Col. Mason. Capt. Gruney   " " 1777 5 " " Col. Read. Capt. Gates   " " 1778 4 " " Col. Bullard. Capt. Herrick   July. 1780 1 " " Col. Perry. Capt. Sawyer  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Lake Champlain  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Framingham Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? living witnesses & traditional evidence  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? two of the affidavits informally attached 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above-mentioned.
John Watson 22 nd feby 1833
Examining Clerk.

29807 Rev INVALID.
File No. 29,807
Elisha Root
Rev Rev. Val
Act: June 7 th 182 nd
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 147
[Arrangement of 1870.]

See Cartridges official list

I Luther Eaton of Framingham in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Mass t . Testify, and say, that I am per- sonally acquainted with Mr Elisha Frost of Framingham in said County, that I was at Cambridge in June 1775 in the Capt. Thos. Drury's Company & Col. John Nixon's Reg t was per- sonally knowing that the said Elisha Frost was there as a substitute for Samuel Frost on the day of the battle of Bunker Hill and did duty as a private soldier in said Nixon's Reg t and further saith not. Luther Eaton
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex ss. August 27 th 1832 Then the above named Luther Eaton personally appeared, and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him signed Before me Henry Richardson Just Peace
Certify that the above named Luther Eaton is per- sonally known to me, and that he is a credible Witness. Henry Richardson Just Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss.
I. Isaac Tinker Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex hereby certify that Henry Richardson whose own proper sign above is set to the above affidavit & William Buckminster whose own proper signature is set to the certificate of the depositions of Jonathan Maynard & Paul Colledge hereunto annexed, are justices of the Peace within said County. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this thirtieth day of August AD 1832.
Isaac Tinker

Jonathan Maynard of Framingham in the County of Middlesex - testify & say that I am personally acquaint- ed with one Elisha Frost in said County - That he served as a soldier in the same company with me in the year 1776. - and in the battle of Lake Champlain he with me, and also with me on board the Leicester & further saith not Jon. Maynard
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss. August 30 th 1832. Then the above named Jon a Maynard Esq r personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the above Affidavit by him signed before me
Wm Parkman Jus t . of Peace
I certify that the above named Jonathan Maynard is personally known to me and that he is a credible witness
Wm Parkman Jus t . of Peace

Joel Coolidge of Framingham in the County of Middlesex to wit I say that I am personally acquaint- ed with Mr. Elisha Frost of Fram- ingham in said County & that he served as a soldier in the same company with me in the year 1777 against Gen. Burgoyne, & was present at the surrender of his army — I think Mr. Frost left home about in the forepart of August & we were all dis- missed on the first of December of the same year — & he served as a soldier until the expira- tion of that time — I further saith not
Joel Coolidge
C Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss. August 28. 1832
Then the above named Joel Cool- idge personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit before me —
Wm. Brooks Justice
I certify that the above named Joel Coolidge is personally known to me & that he is a credible witness —
Wm. D. Southwick Justice of peace

9616
Elisha Frost
I have authenticated the papers according to the requirements of the department & release them for further proceedings. J. Fiske Esq.
J. Fiske Esq. East Cambridge Mass

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Elisha Frost which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes, to some
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes to some
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.